Chapter 494 I Only Prefer Your Eyes and Brows
In early April in the south of the Yangtze River, the grass is lush and the birds are singing, and the air is hazy with mist and rain.
Without disturbing too many people, Song Ci and Liu Shishi quietly returned to their hometown, the Jiangnan water town of Suzhou, with a small entourage.
The bluestone road twists and turns, water gurgles under the small bridge, and the white walls and black tiles stand quietly in the mist and rain.
Everything seems to be isolated from the rapidly developing world outside, forming a peaceful world of its own.
In the ancient Song family ancestral hall, the couple burned incense and offered sacrifices according to traditional rituals to comfort their ancestors.
The smoke curls up, filled with solemnity and longing.
After leaving Suzhou, he headed straight to Jinling.
Dewen Manufacturing's new generation tram factory is about to go into production. As one of the company's core strategies, Song Ci must personally conduct a final inspection.
Inside the huge modern factory, robotic arms swing with precision, assembly lines operate efficiently, and new electric vehicle models have taken shape on the intelligent production line.
The factory manager and technical director accompanied the whole process and explained every step in detail to the boss.
Song Ci listened very attentively, asking questions from time to time, and greedily absorbing knowledge about automobile manufacturing like a sponge.
Liu Shishi accompanied him throughout the whole process, quietly visiting her husband's other business empire besides Tenda Technology.
After the inspection, the two declined the banquet arranged by the factory management.
On April 8, at Jinling Airport, a Bombardier Global 7500 private jet was ready to take off.
There were no media cameras, no noisy farewell processions, only concise and efficient assistance from assistants and security personnel.
As the plane soared into the sky and gradually moved away from the familiar city outline, a long-awaited sense of relaxation that belonged only to the two of them finally slowly descended.
The cabin is spacious and decorated like a luxurious living room in the sky.
Liu Shishi leaned against the window, looking at the mountains and rivers below which were gradually shrinking into models.
After Song Ci finished dealing with the last few urgent emails, he closed his computer, walked to his wife's side, and naturally held her hands.
The voice was gentle: "Tired?"
Liu Shishi shook her head and gently leaned her head on her husband's shoulder. "No, I just feel it's wonderful. It seems that our honeymoon has not really begun until this moment."
Song Ci chuckled, sniffing the fragrance of his wife's hair, and gently kissed her brow: "For the next ten days, it will be just you and me."
After a long flight, the plane finally landed smoothly at Keflavik International Airport in Iceland.
The moment the cabin door opened, clear, pure, and slightly chilly air blew in my face, as if instantly washing away all the fatigue from the journey.
The private butler and local experienced tour guide arranged by Ctrip were already waiting.
Song Ci and Liu Shishi did not stop and took the waiting luxury off-road vehicle directly to the hotel where they would stay for the first night.
April in Iceland, at the end of winter and the beginning of spring, is a unique season between desolation and awakening.
On both sides of the road is a vast land covered with tundra, and in the distance are snow-capped glaciers, sparkling blue-purple light in the sun.
The landforms formed by volcanic rocks are rugged and bizarre, with occasional white geothermal smoke rising from the cracks, reminding people of the enormous energy hidden deep within this land.
"The scenery here is like an alien planet." Liu Shishi looked out the window and couldn't help but sigh.
Song Ci followed her gaze and nodded in agreement: "It's very special. It has a primitive and powerful vitality."
In the evening, the group arrived at a luxury hotel near the famous Blue Lagoon.
As previously introduced by Hou Yue from Ctrip, the suite has an excellent view and a private open-air hot spring.
After settling in for a while, the couple immersed themselves in the milky blue, mineral-rich geothermal hot springs to dispel the fatigue of the journey.
The setting sun in the distance dyes the top of the snow-capped mountain into a gorgeous pink-gold color, which is quiet and comfortable.
The following days were filled with a full and private itinerary.
The two took a helicopter to overlook Thingvellir National Park and hiked between the rift valleys of the Eurasian and North American plates.
Accompanied by an expert guide, you can go deep into the glacier cave, touch the blue ice that has existed for thousands of years, and feel the solidification and passage of time.
Driving along the south coast, you will encounter the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, which are stacked like a galaxy. Rainbows are often seen hanging high in the mist.
Song Ci temporarily put aside all his work, and his phone was mostly silent during this period.
It was as if I had returned to my most authentic self, holding Liu Shishi's hand throughout the whole process, listening attentively to the explanation, smiling at my lover when facing the magnificent scenery, or using my mobile phone to freeze countless beautiful moments for her.
Liu Shishi was completely immersed in the journey, her smile brighter than the sun.
Of course, the most anticipated part of a honeymoon is the Northern Lights.
On their third night in Iceland, the Ctrip team predicted a high aurora borealis index. That night, a local expert guide drove them to an optimal viewing spot, away from light pollution.
It was an open area of black volcanic rock, and not far away came the muffled sound of waves hitting the icy black sand beach.
Everything was silent, with only the sound of the wind brushing against my ears.
The sky is like a huge inky velvet curtain, dotted with tiny and bright stars, and the Milky Way stretches clearly across the sky.
The two wore professional cold-proof clothing, snuggled up to each other, and waited for a miracle to happen.
"Are you cold?" Song Ci hugged his lover tighter in his arms.
"It's not cold." Liu Shishi responded softly, her heart beating faster with anticipation.
Suddenly, a faint light green band appeared in the northern sky, like the soft skirt of a goddess, swaying slowly in the air.
"Look!" Liu Shishi exclaimed excitedly in a low voice, pointing to the sky.
The light band gradually became clearer, brighter, wider, and then began to dance!
It is no longer a static veil, but has life and soul, jumping, spinning and spreading in the sky.
The main color is green, sometimes interspersed with a faint pink and purple halo. It is infinitely changing, vast and mysterious, and breathtakingly beautiful.
The aurora became increasingly brighter, illuminating almost the entire night sky and the earth. It cascaded like a waterfall and fluttered like silk, as if a silent yet magnificent cosmic symphony was being performed overhead.
Liu Shishi snuggled in her husband's arms, looked up at the wonders of heaven and earth, and was so moved that she was speechless, her eyes slightly warm.
Song Ci lowered his head and stared at her profile illuminated by the aurora, his eyes full of wonder and tenderness, and whispered: "Some people say that the aurora is the longing at the highest latitude on earth.
Those who can see are the lucky ones blessed by God. Shishi, my greatest fortune is to share this moment with you."
Liu Shishi turned her head and looked into the deep eyes of her beloved, which were reflecting the flowing aurora and were also filled with his unreserved love for her.
She whispered tenderly, "It is said that those who see the aurora together will find eternal love and happiness. Song Yiyi, I believe it."
Song Ci did not answer, but sealed Liu Shishi's beautiful oath with an extremely gentle kiss.
Under the gorgeous and holy light of the goddess Aurora, on the pure land protected by glaciers and volcanoes, they hugged each other tightly, as if turning into the most eternal picture between heaven and earth.
Love needs no words.
The tranquility and grandeur, the embrace and companionship at this moment, are the best interpretation of love.
After a long time, the aurora gradually faded and the night sky returned to silence, as if the magnificent scene just now was just a dream.
But the warmth from the palms of two people holding each other speaks of eternity in an extremely real way.
It was late at night when they returned to the hotel, still immersed in the awe and excitement of the aurora. The hot spring pool on the suite's terrace was steaming, and they took another dip to dispel the chill.
"I will never forget what I saw today." Liu Shishi leaned against the edge of the pool and looked up at the starry night sky.
Song Ci moved closer and brushed away the slightly damp hair from her forehead: "Yes. From now on, every year, we will go to a different place to see the world. As long as I'm with you, everywhere is a beautiful scenery."
Liu Shishi smiled and took the initiative to kiss the corner of his lips: "Student Song Yiyi, your love talk skills are perfect."
Song Ci raised an eyebrow and pulled her into his arms, causing ripples in the hot spring water. "Oh? Then it seems I need more practice to keep Madam satisfied."
Outside the window was the cool, clear Icelandic night, within the pool was the warmth of lingering love. This sweet honeymoon journey reached its first romantic peak thanks to the aurora borealis tonight.
This is just the beginning of a long and wonderful journey. Every day ahead is as exciting as the aurora borealis.
······
In mid-April, night fell over Beijing. Neon lights flickered, but their illumination could not penetrate the low pressure in the living room of a high-end apartment.
Zhang Ziyi was wearing silk home clothes, curled up on the sofa, her cold fingertips sliding across the iPad screen.
At the top of Weibo's trending searches, terms such as "Chinese actors in "Transformers 4"" and "Fan Bingbing joins "Transformers 4"" are prominently displayed.
When I clicked on it, I saw photos from Paramount Pictures' official press conference in the afternoon.
Fan Bingbing, dressed in a luxurious dress, stood between Michael Bay and Paramount executives, looking radiant and smiling like a flower. She handled the domestic and foreign media cameras with ease and looked extremely successful.
The press release further emphasized that she had a significant role in this globally anticipated production and that it was by no means a passing cameo.
"Heh." A very light sneer, full of sarcasm and unwillingness, burst out from Zhang Ziyi's lips.
Once upon a time, being able to stand in such a position, representing Asian faces to break into Hollywood's top productions and enjoy the world's attention was her "International Zhang" patent.
Now, she is stuck in a quagmire, her career is declining, while her former "rival" is rising step by step, becoming more and more popular, even leaving her far behind.
The stark contrast and sense of loss pierced her heart. Looking at the smug look on Fan Bingbing's face in the picture, she wanted to tear that sweet, smiling face on the screen to pieces.
"Bang!" He slammed the iPad upside down on the sofa, his chest heaving violently as he tried hard to suppress the surging bitterness and anger.
After venting, he felt even more exhausted and empty. He then looked up at his agent, who had been sitting quietly on the sofa.
Ji Lingling's face was expressionless, she simply looked at her co-artist calmly. That calmness actually made Zhang Ziyi feel a little embarrassed.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady, and with a last shred of unrealistic hope, he said, "Boss Ji, is there really no room for maneuver for The Crossing? Director Wu..."
Ji Lingling's voice was calm, extinguishing all hope. "The crew has officially signed the contract with Li Bingbing. Everything is settled."
"Bitch!" Zhang Ziyi's anger was instantly ignited, and she almost blurted out the words, her delicate face distorted with anger.
"LeEco and Pony. They don't even have a sense of contract! How did you beg me back then? Now look at me..."
She swallowed the rest of the words back, but the humiliation she felt was even worse.
"It's come to this, there's no point dwelling on it." Ji Lingling's voice remained calm, almost cold. "In this industry, last-minute role changes and being snatched away are commonplace. This isn't your first experience."
Yes, it's a daily occurrence. Zhang Ziyi clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. But who was she? She was Zhang Ziyi! The internationally renowned Zhang Ziyi, who had once been just one step away from reaching the pinnacle of Chinese actresses!
Now she is in such a desperate situation and is being trampled upon. This psychological gap is far more unbearable for her than losing a role itself.
He was in a daze for a long time, staring at the glittering city outside the window with empty eyes, as if half a century had passed, before he slowly exhaled.
Resigned to his fate, he whispered, "Are there any decent film resources in the industry these days?"
Ji Lingling's answer was crisp and unsparing. "Movies? There aren't any top-tier productions that suit you right now. Are you willing to settle for a low-budget romance?"
After a pause, he offered another option: "What about TV series? There are a few big projects looking for female leads, and the asking price is quite high."
"No!" Zhang Ziyi refused almost reflexively.
This was the pride she had maintained for many years, and also her last act of stubbornness. Her deep-seated sense of superiority as a movie star made it impossible for her to accept the idea of "coming down to earth" to film a TV series, even though the reality was pressing in on her.
Ji Lingling couldn't help but sigh.
Zhou Xun has already lowered her status and returned to the small screen. The market has changed a lot, but this artist is still immersed in the glory of the past and cannot see the reality.
In her opinion, whether it is a movie or a TV series, the most important thing is to make money and maintain exposure. How much is face worth?
"Then would you like to appear on a variety show?" Ji Lingling changed the topic. "Xiang Province Satellite TV has a new music talent show called 'The Voice of China'. It's very popular, and they'd like to invite you to be a mentor. The remuneration is very generous."
Zhang Ziyi fell silent. In the past, she wouldn't have considered this kind of variety show. But now that her film project was shelved and she didn't want to film a TV series, she really needed the exposure to maintain her shaky popularity.
After a long deliberation and a fierce inner struggle, he finally nodded slowly, his voice full of fatigue and compromise: "Go."
"Okay, I'll go and make the arrangements." Ji Lingling agreed softly, then changed the subject, "By the way, did you break up with Sa Beining?"
Speaking of her ex-boyfriend, Zhang Ziyi's expression instantly became unnatural, her eyes flickered, and her voice was as thin as a mosquito: "Well... and Xiao Sa, we broke up."
Ji Lingling was speechless for a moment.
When Zhang Ziyi was dating Sa Beining, he had a positive image and excellent reputation, which invisibly helped her regain a lot of popularity and public favor that she had lost due to "Triple Door".
Now that they have broken up, public opinion is likely to stir up another storm, and there will probably be a lot of chaos.
Seeing Zhang Ziyi hesitate to speak, obviously hiding something on her mind, her professional sensitivity made her ask, "Are you hiding something else from me?"
Zhang Ziyi opened her mouth and hesitated for a long time before she made up her mind and said, "I... I'm dating someone else."
"Who?" Ji Lingling's heart tightened, and she had a bad feeling.
“…Wang Feng.”
The air froze instantly.
Ji Lingling was completely stunned, staring at Zhang Ziyi, as if trying to find traces of a joke on her face. But Zhang Ziyi's evasive eyes told her that this was the truth.
After a long time, he let out a long, deep sigh, his tone filled with disappointment that was hard to conceal and a calmness that was almost like giving up.
"Alright. You can handle it yourself. I won't interfere too much in your private affairs from now on."
Zhang Ziyi's heart sank suddenly.
The agent's words seem to give freedom, but in fact they are a kind of complete helplessness and letting go.
Even her closest colleagues have lost confidence in her vision for choosing a partner and the desire to persuade her. Isn't this an extreme disappointment?
A huge sense of loss suddenly welled up in my heart.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
